The wife of President Barack Obama will travel to Beijing on March 19 and spend several days in the Chinese capital. Her itinerary also includes visits to to the central city of Xian and the southwestern city of Chengdu.

Michelle Obama’s travels, March 20 – 26

Obama will also meet with her Chinese counterpart, Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping. The two had been expected to meet last June when their husbands held a summit in California, but Michelle Obama stayed behind in Washington.

The first lady will be accompanied by her daughters, 15-year-old Malia and 12-year-old Sasha, and her mother Marian Robinson.

In a message posted on the White House website Monday, the Obama said her trip will focus "on the power and importance of education, both in my own life and in the lives of young people" in both countries.

"No matter what country we live in, we're all facing so many of the same challenges - from ensuring that students get a good education; to fighting poverty, hunger and disease; to addressing threats to our planet like climate change," she said.

Obama, who often speaks about the importance of education, will preview her tour on Tuesday during a visit to the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School Chinese immersion school, and will encourage students to follow her trip.